INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s hospitals have been pushed to the limit during the omicron surge as nearly half of the state’s population remains unvaccinated against COVID-19.
A new WalletHub study points to just how bad the situation has become in the Hoosier State: Indiana is the second least safe state during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indiana ranked 50th on the list of “Safest States During COVID-19,” which includes the 50 states, plus Washington D.C. Only Oklahoma is worse off than Indiana, according to WalletHub.
The rankings take into account vaccination rate, positive testing rate, hospitalization rate, death rate and transmission rate.
The five categories are averaged together and graded on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the safest conditions. Indiana came out with a score of 18.35 out of 100.
According to the study, Indiana is 49th in vaccination rate, 40th in positive testing rate, 32nd in hospitalization rate, 45th in death rate and 18th in transmission rate through Wednesday.
The Indiana National Guard and federal medical personnel teams are still assisting at hospitals around the state, including IU Health Methodist Hospital, as heath care officials plead with Hoosiers to get vaccinated saying, "We can't do this alone."
On Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Health reported 129 COVID-19 deaths, 5,536 new positive cases and 3,206 hospitalizations. The state’s 7-day positivity rate among all tests was 30.5%.
Nearly 20,300 Hoosiers are confirmed to have died from COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.
-
2 shot on northeast side of Indy
Police are investigating after two people were shot on Indy's northeast side Tuesday morning. The victims are reported to be in stable condition.
Delaware County Sheriff's Office searching for fatal hit-and-run suspect
A woman is dead after a fatal hit-and-run in Muncie and police are searching for the suspect. Investigators believe the suspect's vehicle is a 2007-2014 Chevrolet Silverado.
Don't be a target: IMPD warns of car break-ins during holiday shopping season
Leaving important items in plain sight like your purse, packages and papers can lead to more than just items being stolen.
Indy organizations asking for help during Giving Tuesday
"Giving Tuesday" is a day many local organizations rely on to set them up for the year ahead. Although monetary donations are helpful, giving your time by volunteering can also go a long way.
